Nov 209 min read

Good News for November 20, 2024

On October 24, 2024 Pope Francis published an encyclical entitled, Dilexit Nos or On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. A recent article from The Pillar website offered a brief synopsis of the encyclical. Over the next few weeks, I’d like to draw from that article and from the encyclical itself and add my own comments.

Background: Dilexit Nos is the fourth encyclical of his so-far 11-year pontificate. It is not brief. It encompasses 141 pages, 28,000 words and close to 200 footnotes. Pope Francis’ previous encyclicals were 2013’s Lumen fidei (co-written with Benedict XVI and published in 2023), Laudato si (in 2015) and Fratelli tutti in 2020. The new encyclical’s opening phrase is drawn from Romans 8:37. St. Paul says Christians can overcome every adversity “through him who loved us.” What’s the genesis of the new encyclical, dedicated to “the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ”? What does it say?

June is the month traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Last June, the Holy Father announced that he planned to write a document on this popular devotion. It swept the Catholic world after the French nun Margaret Mary Alacoque reported visions of Jesus between Dec. 27, 1673, and June, 1675. Alacoque lived at the Visitation convent in Paray-le-Monial in eastern France. She heard Christ telling her that He wanted her to spread His heart’s “burning charity” to the ends of the Earth.

At a June 5, 2023 general audience, the pope noted that the 350th anniversary of Alacoque’s first vision fell in December, 2023. “That occasion marked the beginning of a period of celebrations that will end on June 27 next year,” he said. “This is why I am pleased to prepare a document that brings together the precious reflections of previous Magisterial texts and a long history that goes back to the Sacred Scriptures, in order to re-propose today, to the whole Church, this devotion imbued with spiritual beauty.”

“I believe it will do us great good to meditate on various aspects of the Lord’s love, which can illuminate the path of ecclesial renewal, and say something meaningful to a world that seems to have lost its heart.”

Previous papal texts about the Sacred Heart include:

Pope Leo XIII’s 1899 encyclical Annum sacrum.
Pope Pius XI’s 1928 encyclical Miserentissimus Redemptor and 1932 encyclical Caritate Christi compulsi.
Pope Pius XII’s 1956 encyclical Haurietis aquas.
Pope John Paul II’s 1999 Letter on the 100th anniversary of Annum sacrum.
Pope Benedict XVI’s 2006 Letter on the 50th anniversary of Haurietis aquas.

We will dive deeper into Dilexit Nos next week.

Fr. Charles Zlock

Pastor

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Good Things are Happening at St. Raymond!

The St. Raymond Series is back, and we are sure the homilies in Advent will be a blessing to you. Feel free to invite someone who is in need of blessings this time of year.

Black Catholic History Month

Advent Life Groups are off to a great start! Click the link to download the Week 1 Guide.

Thanksgiving Food Collection

Thanksgiving Food Bags are available in the rear of the church, as well as envelopes for monetary donations. Food donations can be left in the vestibule of the Church or dropped off at the Rectory. Monetary donations can be placed in the Sunday collection basket or dropped off at the Rectory. Please have your contributions in by this weekend, November 23rd. If you or someone you know are in need of a Thanksgiving Food Basket, please contact the Rectory Office at 215-549-3760.

Monthly Prayer Team is This Weekend

Bring your prayer intentions to the altar after the 10am Mass on Sunday. Our prayer teams are ready to lift up all your needs, requests and praises to our Lord.

New! Job Opportunities at St. Raymond

Pastoral Associate for Social Ministry (Part Time)

Description:

Work with Pastor, Parish Staff, School Leaders, and community members to help guide the parish in addressing the social needs that exist in the community.
Coordinate existing ministries, including Caring For Friends, Good Samaritan Ministry, Grieving Ministry, Parish Food Cupboard, as well as Thanksgiving Meals for the needy and the Home for Christmas initiative.
Maintain contact with homebound parishioners
Facilitate Communion Service or assist visiting priests in the absence of the Pastor

Pastoral Associate for Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation (Part Time)

Description:

Prepare young Catechumens and Candidates, as well as Catholic students of St. Raymond School, for Sacraments.
Coordinate scheduling and parent communications for Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
Main Catechist for Pre-K & K school children using Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program
Coordination of Children’s Liturgy of the Word during Sunday Mass

Please contact Fr. Zlock at czlock@saintraymond.net or 215-549-3760, Ext 1 to apply.

Save the Date for the St. Raymond Christmas Concert - December 15th!

Our annual Christmas Concert will be December 15 at 3 pm at St. Raymond Church. Please plan to join us and invite your family and friends!

The King is Coming!

Want to Learn More about your Catholic Faith?

The Order of Christian Initiation in Adults (OCIA) has begun. This is for any adult and teen 16 or older, who has not received the sacraments of Baptism, Penance, First Communion and Confirmation. We meet on the first Sunday of every month, immediately following the 10 am Mass in the SRR. Jesus is calling you! “It’s never too late to decide to follow Jesus."

Also, anyone with a desire to have a “refresher” is welcome to join. Contact Deacon Bill or Cindy Bradley at 215-242-5725.

Can You Help?

Have Left Overs?

Why not package them for Caring for Friends? Containers are located in the back of the Church (in a basket on the desk on the Forrest Ave side). The one meal that you discard can be a meal for an ailing senior living alone. Frozen meals can be dropped off at the Rectory between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Volunteers are also needed to deliver meals to seniors on a weekly basis. For more info, contact the Church Rectory at 215-549-3760.

Celebrating Our Youth with Generation Grace

Do you have a child in grades 6th-8th? Please contact Brandi to get them involved in our Middle School Youth Ministry. We would love to have all our Middle School Kids involved. Brandi can be contacted at brandi@saintraymond.net or 215-549-3760.

Saturday, 11/30 - Prayer Vision Board

There is a new email address for communication relating to religious education: religious.ed@saintraymond.net.

ATTENTION: ST. RAYMOND NEEDS YOU!

Matthew 9:37-38: Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Numerous needs have been communicated here and in the bulletin. Unfortunately, responses are nearly non-existent. A vibrant parish has members responding to the call for help. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Please scroll below for several opportunities. You can sign up here or complete a signup sheet on the table in the back of church (on the Williams Ave side). We want to hear from you! THE HARVEST AWAITS!

Volunteer Opportunities

Technology

We are in urgent need of support from those with basic technology skills:

Slide Operators – manage slides shown on TV screens during 5 pm, 8 am or 10 am Mass
Camera Operator – manage live streaming of 10 am Mass via YouTube
YouTube Host – Engage with parishioners during 10 am Mass

Requirements are a love for your parish, and a willingness to learn and serve. Teenagers and adults can contact Brandi at 215-549-3760.

To volunteer for any of the above tasks, please complete this form and someone will be in touch soon! Or, call Brandi at 215-549-3760.

Church Announcements

Holiday Mass Schedule

Thursday, 11/28, Thanksgiving Mass @ 9 am

Tuesday 12/24, 8 am (Daily Mass)

Tuesday, 12/24, Christmas Eve Vigil @ 7 pm

Wednesday, 12/25, Christmas Morning @ 9 am

Tuesday 12/31, New Year's Eve, 8 am (Daily Mass)

Tuesday 12/ 31, Watch Hour @ 10 pm; Mass at 11 pm

New Confession Times

Confessions are now by appointment, and people are welcome to call the rectory to schedule a time. Father will also be available from 4 to 4:45 pm before the Saturday Vigil Mass in the Church Confessional.

A Reminder about Call to Prayer

St. Raymond offers a twice-daily opportunity, Call to Prayer on weekdays at 6:30 am and at noon. Taking a little time (five to seven minutes) to turn to the Lord will remove stress and restore peace in your life.

Call toll-free 1-877-309-2073, then enter code 319-414-445#. At 6:30 am, we reflect on God's Word. During the noon call, we pray the Angelus, reflect on the first reading of the day, and have intercessory prayer for those in need.

Donate to Support St. Raymond Church

Online giving is a wonderful way to make a one-time or a recurring gift to St. Raymond. We greatly appreciate your goodness and promise to be good stewards of your gift. DONATE HERE. You can also make a gift with your phone: send a text with the message straymond to 833-363-7471. You will receive a text that will give you simple instructions to make a gift!

Or, scan the QR code to donate.

Please note that we are no longer using Cash App as a form of payment for tithes.

We will accept Venmo (@StRaymond-PenafortPhilly), PushPay, Parish Giving & Envelopes. If you would like to receive envelopes, please contact Brandi at brandi@straymond.net and she will add your name to the list of envelope recipients. If you prefer to use PushPay, text straymond to 833-363-7471 to donate.

Collection Envelopes for September through December, 2024 have been mailed out. There are three special collection envelopes: 11/28 = Thanksgiving;12/8 = Christmas Flower Offering; 12/25 = Christmas Offering. If you did not receive your envelopes, please contact Brandi at 215-549-3760 or at brandi@straymond.org

To our Online Parishioners

We at St. Raymond are extremely pleased that you continue to be part of our community via livestream. Although you may be unable to attend Mass in person, please remember that we need your financial support in order to remain a vibrant parish. You may give online anytime here. Feel free to contact the rectory for assistance at 215-549-3760.

Silence Cell Phones

Please remember how distracting cell-phone noises can be during Mass. We prayerfully ask you to silence your phone when you enter church, so that no one is disturbed during this holy hour.

Lost and Found

Have you lost any personal items during Church service and never retrieved them? Please check the bin in the back of Church labeled “Lost & Found." People turn in items often to the Rectory. All items turned in are put into the bin.

Church Safety Equipment

A first aid kit as well as an automated external defibrillator (also known as an AED device), are located in the sacristy. Both are on a table to the left of the sacristy sink. This ensures that St. Raymond has sufficient means to address significant medical emergencies during liturgical events.

Financial Facts

We thank those parishioners who, recognizing God’s gifts to them, make their response in our weekly collection. Your continued support is vital, necessary, and deeply appreciated.

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00

Collection & Envelopes: $8,478.00

Monthly Church Maintenance: $550.00

Giving Tree: $25.00

REST: $675.00

Stewardship: $300.00

Thanksgiving Offering: $180.00

Thanksgiving Basket: $430.00

Christmas Offering: $50.00

Christmas Flowers: $55.00

Seminary: $40.00

Total: $10,783.00

Seminarian Appeal

Envelopes for the Seminarian collection remain in the back of the church, in case you missed them last week.

Get Involved!

Sign up for Fr. Zlock’s Young Adult WhatsApp community for prayers, videos, reflections and events for the young adult community. Click here to join the group.

Connect with Us Online

Be part of our awesome virtual community! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get the latest scoop, see fun pictures, and hear about our exciting events.

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Understanding Annulments: How the Tribunal Can Help After Divorce

The Tribunal is available to help people who have experienced divorce and wish to remarry in the Catholic Church. When a divorce occurs, the Church always seeks to balance two realities: the durable bond of marriage, and the spiritual welfare of the people involved. The Annulment procedure addresses deficiencies such as intentions, understanding, or ability. Whether you are divorced and want to marry in the Catholic Church or are remarried outside the Church, please visit our website.

If you have questions and would like an initial conversation with Fr. Zlock, call the rectory and schedule a time to meet with him. 215-549-3760

Community Events

Prayer Vigil for Sisters of Life

Jubilee 2025

Local celebration of the Universal Church’s year-long observance of the Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope, begins December 29, 2024. In response to Pope Francis’ call to the Catholic Church around the world, parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will begin the local observance of the Jubilee Year 2025, with the theme Pilgrims of Hope.

All are invited to participate in events of the Holy Year in their homes, in their local parishes, and at shrines throughout the region, and at the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia— the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate the opening of the Jubilee Year with Mass at the Cathedral. That celebration of the holy Eucharist will mark the culmination of a pilgrimage of families traveling from throughout the Philadelphia region to the Cathedral.

Sunday, December 29, 2024

(Holy Family Sunday)

11 am

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Mass will be broadcast via live streaming video. Resources and information on upcoming events for the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia may be found here.